01 n. A passing from one state to another; change; alteration; mutation.
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1.
A passing from one state to another; change; alteration; mutation.[R.]“So great is the commutation that the soul then hated only that which now only it loves.” — South.
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2.
The act of giving one thing for another; barter; exchange.[Obs.]“The use of money is . . . that of saving the commutation of more bulky commodities.” — Arbuthnot.
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3.
The change of a penalty or punishment by the pardoning power of the State; as, the commutation of a sentence of death to banishment or imprisonment.(Law)“Suits are allowable in the spiritual courts for money agreed to be given as a commutation for penance.” — Blackstone.
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4.
A substitution, as of a less thing for a greater, esp. a substitution of one form of payment for another, or one payment for many, or a specific sum of money for conditional payments or allowances; as, commutation of tithes; commutation of fares; commutation of copyright; commutation of rations.
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5.
regular travel from a place of residence to a place where one's daily work is performed; commuting. Most often, such travel is performed between a suburb and a nearby city.
Phrases & compounds
Angle of commutation —
the difference of the geocentric longitudes of the sun and a planet.
Commutation of tithes —
the substitution of a regular payment, chargeable to the land, for the annual tithes in kind.
Commutation ticket —
a ticket, as for transportation, which is the evidence of a contract for service at a reduced rate. See 2d Commute, 2.